May 28, 2017, 11:20 am
Basic Economy Airport and Plane Experiences (First or Second Hand)
Jun 28, 2017, 2:23 pm
#226
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My Father just relayed a story to me RE: Basic Economy even though he was First Class.
My Father and Mother were flying back from SFO in First Class and a small emergency came up necessitating my Father to remain in the gate area on a phone call with a hospital (his best friend was being rushed to surgery and the Wife asked my Father, a retired Ophthalmologist to speak with the ER Doctor to get a better understanding of what is going on) while my Mother boarded.
After my Father ended his phone call and went to board, it was Group 5 and he was told that he would have to pay to check his bag. He said I am First Class and my Wife has a spot for my bag, the Gate Agent, said class of service does not matter, you are boarding with Group 5 and her Supervisor made it is abundantly clear that the charge is and I am quoting here, "for BOARDING WITH GROUP 5, not just being in Group 5." The Gate Agent said that she thought that was unfair and asked her Supervisor about it more than once and the Supervisor was adamant about the Boarding with Group 5 part.
She suggested contacting UNITED and asking for a refund after the flight but that she was going to have to charge him if he wanted to board. He paid and did board the flight, but was surprised that was how UNITED was treating someone in paid First Class.
He did contact UNITED for a refund of the baggage charge, but has not heard back yet and my gut says that he never sees that refund.
Anyway, Basic Economy is what it is, not for me, clearly it is beneficial to some, but charging for anyone BOARDING WITH GROUP 5 is just ridiculous IMHO.
My Father and Mother were flying back from SFO in First Class and a small emergency came up necessitating my Father to remain in the gate area on a phone call with a hospital (his best friend was being rushed to surgery and the Wife asked my Father, a retired Ophthalmologist to speak with the ER Doctor to get a better understanding of what is going on) while my Mother boarded.
After my Father ended his phone call and went to board, it was Group 5 and he was told that he would have to pay to check his bag. He said I am First Class and my Wife has a spot for my bag, the Gate Agent, said class of service does not matter, you are boarding with Group 5 and her Supervisor made it is abundantly clear that the charge is and I am quoting here, "for BOARDING WITH GROUP 5, not just being in Group 5." The Gate Agent said that she thought that was unfair and asked her Supervisor about it more than once and the Supervisor was adamant about the Boarding with Group 5 part.
She suggested contacting UNITED and asking for a refund after the flight but that she was going to have to charge him if he wanted to board. He paid and did board the flight, but was surprised that was how UNITED was treating someone in paid First Class.
He did contact UNITED for a refund of the baggage charge, but has not heard back yet and my gut says that he never sees that refund.
Anyway, Basic Economy is what it is, not for me, clearly it is beneficial to some, but charging for anyone BOARDING WITH GROUP 5 is just ridiculous IMHO.
Jun 28, 2017, 2:24 pm
#227
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,618
Granted, my Father's experience is just one and obviously UNITED boards more than one flight all day and it maybe not happening system wide, but if one Supervisor possibly understands the rules wrong, it is possible others do as well.
Jun 28, 2017, 2:46 pm
#228
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Although it may be get sticky because you can technically board, just without your (legal per CoC) belongings.
Jun 28, 2017, 2:52 pm
#229
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BG5 on the BP is the ONLY thing the GA/Supervisor needs to see in order to restrict carry-ons. BG5 on the BP is so simple - I don't understand how they make it harder on not only themselves, but United.
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 28, 2017 at 5:41 pm
Jun 28, 2017, 2:56 pm
#230
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Jun 28, 2017, 3:08 pm
#231
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UA is not allowed to impose a charge like this that was not declared at the time of purchase -- end of story. Every affected customer should file a complaint so that UA will communicate the proper policy across the board.
Jun 28, 2017, 3:09 pm
#232
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I wonder if and how this becomes an IDB situation. If you're exempt from the carry-on fee, yet they demand it and you refuse (or have the inability to pay), I'd imagine UA is on the hook for incorrectly refusing boarding. Much like the misunderstanding of TWOV rules leading to IDB compensation.
Hopefully OP's father gets the refund and an ETC for his troubles.
Jun 28, 2017, 3:20 pm
#233
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The ONLY thing the GAs ought to be looking for is BG5 assignments - and that's what UA ought to be highlighting on a BP, not everyone who's bought a Basic Economy ticket. I just sent note to UA Insider to that effect. Should be a very simple change for UA's IT
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 28, 2017 at 3:56 pm
Jun 28, 2017, 4:19 pm
#234
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Presumably the BP scanners can be programmed to identify BE pax who are not allowed a full size carry-on, thus eliminating the need for any interpretation by GAs.
Jun 28, 2017, 4:24 pm
#235
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n.b. pre-boarding BG5ers would still get the "moo". No way around it
Last edited by IAH-OIL-TRASH; Jun 28, 2017 at 4:53 pm
Jun 28, 2017, 5:04 pm
#237
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Jun 28, 2017, 5:28 pm
#238
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Jun 28, 2017, 6:05 pm
#239
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Jun 28, 2017, 6:10 pm
#240
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But if Basic Economy comes up when a BE-buying Premier or Chase card holder tries to board, it confuses the some agents who think "Basic Economy - no large carry on". The scanner does not need to show BE for Premiers or Chase card holders. There is no point to it at boarding since they have non-BG5 boarding privileges and carry on bag limit waivers. BG5 is what needs to be highlighted by the scanner and on printed/mobile BPs, not BE.